On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201.<ref>[http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2013/roll504.xml ''Clerk of the U.S. House,'' "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013]</ref> At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen. [[Harry Reid]] rejected the call to conference.<ref>[http://www.buzzfeed.com/katenocera/government-shutdown-how-we-got-here?bffb ''Buzzfeed'', "Government Shutdown: How We Got Here," accessed October 1, 2013]</ref> O'Rourke voted against the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.<ref>[http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2013/roll504.xml ''Clerk of the U.S. House,'' "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013]</ref>

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{{support vote}} The shutdown finally ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by the [[United States Senate|Senate]]. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funds the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by [[United States Senate|Senate Democrats]] was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/house-effort-to-end-fiscal-crisis-collapses-leaving-senate-to-forge-last-minute-solution/2013/10/16/1e8bb150-364d-11e3-be86-6aeaa439845b_story_1.html ''The Washington Post'', "Reid, McConnell propose bipartisan Senate bill to end shutdown, extend borrowing," accessed October 16, 2013]</ref> The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming from [[Republican]] members. O'Rourke voted for HR 2775.<ref>[http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2013/roll550.xml ''U.S. House,'' "Final vote results for Roll Call 550," accessed October 31, 2013]</ref>

In a statement released October 1, 2013, O'Rourke said, “As long as the shut-down continues, I will not accept my pay. I will be donating my entire pay for the length of the government closure to veterans’ service organizations (VSOs) in El Paso." He added that "In order to continue to serve El Paso, my offices will remain open, but at a reduced capacity. I will continue to use my Facebook page to keep you posted.”<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/10/01/which-lawmakers-will-refuse-their-pay-during-the-shutdown/ ''Washington Post,'' "Which lawmakers will refuse their pay during the shutdown?," accessed October 2, 2013]</ref>

In a statement released October 1, 2013, O'Rourke said, “As long as the shut-down continues, I will not accept my pay. I will be donating my entire pay for the length of the government closure to veterans’ service organizations (VSOs) in El Paso." He added that "In order to continue to serve El Paso, my offices will remain open, but at a reduced capacity. I will continue to use my Facebook page to keep you posted.”<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/10/01/which-lawmakers-will-refuse-their-pay-during-the-shutdown/ ''Washington Post,'' "Which lawmakers will refuse their pay during the shutdown?," accessed October 2, 2013]</ref>

O’Rourke is barred from becoming a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, despite representing a congressional district that borders Mexico and is predominantly Hispanic. In July 2013 reports circulated that O’Rourke is ineligible to join the caucus because he lacks Hispanic heritage.[2]

Based on analysis of multiple outside rankings, O'Rourke is an average Democratic member of Congress, meaning he will vote with the Democratic Party on the majority of bills.

Biography

O'Rourke grew up in El Paso. He graduated from Columbia University in 1995 with a degree in English. After he graduated, he got a job with a Manhattan web technology company. After three years, he returned to El Paso and co-founded Stanton Street Technology, an internet services and software company, in 1999.[3]

Issues

Exclusion from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus

O’Rourke is barred from becoming a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, despite representing a congressional district that borders Mexico and is predominantly Hispanic. In July 2013 reports circulated that O’Rourke is ineligible to join the caucus because he lacks Hispanic heritage.[5]

Legislative actions

113th Congress

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 114 out of the 3,036 introduced bills (3.8 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[6] For more information pertaining to O'Rourke's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[7]

National security

American response in Syria

More than 100 House lawmakers signed a letter urging President Barack Obama to call Congress back into session if he planned to use military force in Syria.[8]

Rep. Scott Rigell wrote in the letter in August 2013, “engaging our military in Syria when no direct threat to the United States exists and without prior congressional authorization would violate the separation of powers that is clearly delineated in the Constitution.”[8][9]

The members of Congress believed that Obama should have asked Congress for permission before engaging in Libya. The letter asked, “If the use of 221 Tomahawk cruise missles, [sic] 704 Joint Direct Attack Munitions, and 42 Predator Hellfire missiles expended in Libya does not constitute ‘hostilities,’ what does?”[9]

The letter stated, “If you deem that military action in Syria is necessary, Congress can reconvene at your request. We stand ready to come back into session, consider the facts before us, and share the burden of decisions made regarding U.S. involvement in the quickly escalating Syrian conflict."[9]

On August 29, 2013, more than 50 HouseDemocrats signed a letter written by CaliforniaRep.Barbara Lee that called for a congressional resolution on strikes, and cautioned that the dire situation in Syria "should not draw us into an unwise war—especially without adhering to our constitutional requirements."[9][10] The letter also called on the Obama administration to work with the U.N. Security Council “to build international consensus” condemning the alleged use of chemical weapons. O'Rourke was one of the 50 Democrats in the House to sign the letter.[9][10]

National Defense Authorization Act

O'Rourke voted for HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.[11]

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations

O'Rourke voted against HR 2217 - the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 that was largely along party lines.[12]

Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act

O'Rourke voted against HR 624 - the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act. The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill would allow federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities. The bill was largely supported by Republicans but divided the Democratic Party.[13]

Economy

Government shutdown

On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201.[14] At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen. Harry Reid rejected the call to conference.[15] O'Rourke voted against the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.[16]

The shutdown finally ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by the Senate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funds the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[17] The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming from Republican members. O'Rourke voted for HR 2775.[18]

In a statement released October 1, 2013, O'Rourke said, “As long as the shut-down continues, I will not accept my pay. I will be donating my entire pay for the length of the government closure to veterans’ service organizations (VSOs) in El Paso." He added that "In order to continue to serve El Paso, my offices will remain open, but at a reduced capacity. I will continue to use my Facebook page to keep you posted.”[19]

Federal Statutory Pay Adjustment Elimination

O'Rourke voted against HR 273 - Eliminates the 2013 Statutory Pay Adjustment for Federal Employees. The bill passed the House on February 15, 2013, with a vote of 261 - 154. The bill would prevent a 0.5% pay increase for all federal workers from taking effect, saving the federal government $11 billion over 10 years.[20]

Immigration

Morton Memos Enforcement Prohibition

O'Rourke voted against House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain illegal aliens residing in the United States.[21] The vote largely followed party lines.[22]

Healthcare

Health Care Reform Rules

O'Rourke voted against House Amendment 450 - Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The amendment was adopted by the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 227-185. The amendment requires that all changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act be approved by Congress before taking effect. The vote was largely along party lines.[23]

Social issues

Abortion

O'Rourke voted against HR 1797 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The resolution passed the House on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 228 - 196 that largely followed party lines. The purpose of the bill is to ban abortions that would take place 20 or more weeks after fertilization.[24]

SNAP challenge

In June 2013, more than two dozen HouseDemocrats, including O'Rourke, took part in a SNAP challenge, feeding themselves for a week on the average benefit level of a SNAP recipient.[25] Participants agreed to eat all meals from a limited food budget comparable to that of a SNAP participant, approximately $1.50 per meal, or $4.50 a day.[26]

Campaign issues

2012

Excerpt: "The corruption that plagues our community has to stop, but we need reform and new leadership, especially in D.C. where members of Congress use our tax dollars to get re-elected. I will sponsor a bill to set term limits for representatives, so that they focus on getting the job done instead of the special interests that keep them in office."

True Democrat

Excerpt: "Instead of focusing on issues that are important to El Pasoans like the economy, jobs and ensuring that our community is well-represented in D.C., the incumbent has chosen to ask if I am a Democrat. Although I put community and country before party and partisan politics, I think my track record shows that I represent the best aspects of the Democratic Party."

Congressional Reform

Excerpt: "Each year the same people in Congress make the same self-serving decisions that leave us unprepared to revive a depressed economy, reverse a growing debt burden and renew America's leadership in the 21st century. The country is fed up. Congress' approval rating is now at 9%. So why does Congress have a re-election rate that rivals that of a Middle East dictator (93% over the last 5 years), despite having the lowest approval rating in history?"

Healthcare Reform

Excerpt: "While these are important issues to address, the act fails to address problems that are specific to El Paso and the border. As your congressman I will work to make sure that future legislation that carries out the provisions of the PPACA will help, and not hurt, El Paso."

Reyes Works?

Excerpt: "You may have seen the billboards reading "Reyes Works", here are the facts: Reyes has one of the worst voting and attendance records in Congress."

Jobs and the Economy

Excerpt: "There is greater economic opportunity in this region than in almost any other part of Americas right now. Whether it's our enviable position as the world's largest bi-national metroplex, having the country's largest military installation at Ft. Bliss or the country's newest four-year medical school as the anchor for the Medical Center of the Americas, there is abundant opportunity here."

Veterans Affairs

Excerpt: "Our veterans have honorably served our nation. It's time that our nation return the commitment and ensure that they are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Unfortunately, as far too many veterans in El Paso have shared with me, they do not have the support they are owed."

Education

Excerpt: "Investment in education is key to the economic vitality of the nation and the region. As we move away from becoming a manufacturing nation, most jobs will come from a highly skilled labor force. Currently, the U.S. must hire 227,000 scientists and engineers from abroad to keep up with the demand in the U.S. economy."

Fort Bliss

Excerpt: "From the time of General John Pershing to the stewardship provided today by Major General Pittard, El Paso has been fortunate to have a strong relationship with Ft. Bliss. I will work to ensure that relationship produces more jobs and economic activity for local businesses in the future."

Term Limits

Excerpt: "Unfortunately, most house members are career politicians who are more concerned with the next election cycle than in making these tough decisions. They put personal considerations, party loyalty and payback to lobbyists and big donors before principle. "

Elections

2014

O'Rourke is set to run for re-election to the U.S. House in 2014. If he runs, he will seek the Democratic nomination in the primary election on March 4, 2014. The general election took place November 4, 2014.

According to Politico, Beto O'Rourke presented Reyes' first real primary threat since the incumbent was elected. O'Rourke portrayed Reyes as unresponsive and entrenched; the challenger also raised significant funding and stands to receive support from the Campaign for Primary Accountability. Reyes responded by gathering endorsements from Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as pointing out O'Rourke's support of marijuana legalization.[30]

A Reyes spokesperson criticized the Campaign for Primary Accountability's implicit support of primary Reyes challenger O'Rourke, pointing out that Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor had contributed to the PAC for its efforts in a Republican primary in Illinois. The Huffington Post reports that O'Rourke responded by distancing himself from Cantor, saying he is unfamiliar with the House Majority Leader's politics, but that "if he is emblematic about Republican ideology," O'Rourke would rarely agree with Cantor.[32]

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for O'Rourke is available dating back to 2012. Based on available campaign finance records, O'Rourke raised a total of $685,661 during that time period. This information was last updated on March 25, 2013.[33]

2012

Breakdown of the source of O'Rourke's campaign funds before the 2012 election.

O'Rourke won election to the U.S. House in 2012. During that election cycle, O'Rourke's campaign committee raised a total of $685,661 and spent $618,526.[43] This is less than the average $1.5 million spent by House winners in 2012.[44]

Lifetime voting record

According to the website GovTrack, O'Rourke missed 0 of 89 roll call votes from January 2013 to March 2013. This amounts to 0.0%, which is better than the median of 2.2% among current congressional representatives as of March 2013.[47]

Net worth

2011

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, O'Rourke's net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $-1,546,154 to $14,853,840. That averages to $6,653,843, which is higher than the average net worth of Democratic House members in 2011 of $5,107,874.[48]

Voting with party

2013

The website OpenCongress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus. According to the website, O'Rourke has voted with the Democratic Party 96.2% of the time. This ranked 63rd among the 201 House Democrats as of June 2013.[49]

Personal

O'Rourke lives in Sunset Heights with his wife, Amy Sanders, and their three children.[3]